USF Sarasota-Manatee is welcoming students back to class next week with a variety of not-so-ordinary activities. Dubbed “Week of Welcome,” the celebration starts Monday.

Kim Mones, director of student engagement

“The purpose of Week of Welcome is to create activities for our students to help them make a connection to the campus and feel comfortable,” said Kim Mones, director of student engagement.

Students provide input on the kind of activities they want to see during the week. Among the highlights for this week: A pancake breakfast and Spring Sports Spectacular.

Starting 9 a.m. Monday, students will line up in the rotunda for free pancakes served by faculty, staff and administrators. Last fall, Regional Chancellor Dr. Sandra Stone was among those on the serving line as Darren Gambrell, coordinator of student engagement, manned the flattop. IHOP supplied the pancake batter.

On Wednesday, the Spring Sports Spectacular will kick off (literally) from noon to 2 p.m. in the courtyard. Among the competitive activities will be “human foosball.” As the name implies, human foosball is foosball with students filling the role of foosball players. The game is played on a life-sized foosball court.

Knockerball, a soccer-style game, is the other main competitive event. In knockerball, the players are encased in giant plastic bubbles. As the game progresses, they bounce off each other and tumble to the ground.

Calling all alumni

The cleanup will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Red Bug Slough Park, Lake Arrowhead Trail, Sarasota. Participants will receive an Alumni Stampede of Service T-shirt. For more information, contact Becca Stoll, (941) 932-7453, rebeccajstoll@gmail.com.